Top 10 Signs It's Summer in the Arizona Desert

10. Everybody--and I do mean everybody (where's my $%^#@$%& brain scrubber?!)--is wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts.

9. It seems perfectly reasonable to drive around the parking lot for 10 minutes until a spot in the shade opens up.

8. The busiest grocery shopping times on the weekend are before sunrise or well after sunset.

7. You buy ice cream only if a) you're going to eat it immediately, b) you brought a cooler that you took into the store to cool off before you put the ice cream in it or c) it's before 6 a.m. or after 10 p.m. and you're within five minutes of home.

6. Easy way to maintain financial liquidity--leave your credit cards in the car.

5. You're reminded that you have sweat glands behind your knees.

4. Your light gray cement, southwest-facing patio still burns bare feet at 10 p.m.

3. The local children set up a "water stand" (rather than lemonade stand) at 6 a.m. and need no chairs because they sit under the table.

2. When you open the door, Escape Cat flattens her ears and backs up with squinty eyes, then gives you a dirty look after you close it.

1. The geckos fight over rocks in the shade.

Just so you know... temperature today is a mild 118 degrees Fahrenheit (it's expected to be 120+ this weekend).